Legislative Updates
Connecticut expanded permissible reasons to take paid sick leave. Effective October 1, workers can now take sick leave for a ‘mental health wellness day’ to attend to emotional and psychological well-being in lieu of a regularly scheduled shift, as well as various medical, psychological, and victim services activities when the child of an employee is the victim of family violence or sexual assault.
Maine’s minimum wage will increase on January 1, 2024 from $13.80 to $14.15. Minimum tipped wages will also rise to $7.08. A 2016 law in Maine requires “annual adjustments to the minimum wage based on the cost-of-living index for the Northeast Region.” The cost of living rose 2.4 percent in the last year.
New Hampshire legislators are gearing up for the 2024 session, which begins in January. House members had a short window in September to file the bills any new bills they want to introduce in 2024. Senators have until October 12 to file their bills. View all legislation tracked in your state on NAMA’s website.
Rhode Island voters in the First Congressional District head to the polls next month to fill the vacancy left by David Cicilline, who resigned in May to run the Rhode Island Foundation. Democrat Gabe Amo is expected to defeat Republican Gerry Leonard. Amo has a distinguished career in government administration, having served as deputy director of President Biden’s White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Leonard has had a distinguished career working in miliary operations for the U.S. Marine Forces Reserve, NATO, and others.
Vermont legislators have begun planning for the state’s 2024-25 budget, which they will need to pass before July. This year, legislators passed a budget that increased spending by 13% over the veto and objections from Gov. Phil Scott (R). State revenue remains down over 5% this year, so legislators may need to consider scaling back the next spending package.
Massachusetts Imposes First-in-Nation Plastic Bottle Ban
On September 21, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) signed an executive order that (1) bans all state agencies from purchasing single-use plastic bottles, (2) requires agencies to reduce the sale of single-use plastic bottles on all state property, and (3) requires agencies to limit the purchase, use, or sale of single-use plastic bottles to a handful of emergency circumstances. The order took effect immediately, and agencies have until December 31 to show proof of compliance.
Importantly, it does NOT apply when it conflicts with existing contract requirements or labor agreements in existence as of September 21, or agreements solicited before September 21.
This is the first plastic bottle ban of its kind in the country. The legislatures in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island all considered adopting similar bans this year, but those bills failed. NERSA submitted joint testimony in Maine and in Massachusetts when those bills received committee hearings. We urged caution against these bans because they could severely limit consumer choice and access.
The executive order is likely to have an outsized effect on the convenience services industry, which mostly offers single-use products. And when a state like Massachusetts experiments with mandates like these, other states may be tempted to follow.
In a recent Pluribus News article, NAMA’s State Affairs Manager, Michael Hogg, stated, “The vending and convenience services industry shares the governor’s desire to improve sustainability, limit waste, and protect the environment. We continue to find ways to limit our environmental footprint while still providing convenient and affordable access to food and beverage products, though we are deeply concerned about the executive order, as it will severely limit consumer choice and access to clean drinking options on state property throughout the Commonwealth.”
Who’s on the ballot on November 7?
The November 7 elections are almost here. These local elections have a much greater impact on our day-to-day lives and on the laws and regulations that govern our industry than the more flashy presidential race. All NERSA states have elections this year. Remember to Vote!
Important elections include:
- Rhode Island Congressional District 1
- Rhode Island State Senate District 1
- Maine State House District 50
- Maine Referendum elections
- New Hampshire State House District Hillsborough 3
- Vermont local ballot measures